33679: Islam and the west between strength and weakness

Looking at the calamities faced by the Muslims in all places, I want to know what is the difference between the Islamic way of life and the life of wealth, progress and strength in the west, and between the rulings on women in both societies. I am asking because I am sad about the situation of the Muslims in those countries.

Published Date: 2003-05-22

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

The disasters and calamities that are
befalling the Muslims are only happening because they have forsaken the laws of Allaah regarding themselves, their societies and their nations.
They do not support (the cause of) Allaah so how will He support them?

When some of the Muslims disobeyed the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in the Battle of Uhud, Allaah punished them with defeat, even though the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the senior Sahaabah were among them. So what about the Muslims nowadays when they are disobeying
Allaah night and day and transgressing His sacred limits, except for those on whom Allaah has mercy?

Secondly:

Although the Muslims are living through
disasters and calamities, and are suffering a great deal, what the west is facing in its societies and in their personal situations is even worse,
with regard to faith, security and the family, especially in matters pertaining to women.

If you look at recent statistics from western
countries, you will see that they are more deserving of pity because of their situation. We will look at a few examples:

65% of female workers are faced with sexual
harassment in the work place in some European countries.

18% of women in America have been raped or
have been faced with attempted rape at some stage in their lives.

More than half of the women who are raped are
under the age of 17.

Ihsaa’aat, Diraasaat, Arqaam,
p. 140.

According to a phone survey in Canada,
covering 12,300 women throughout Canada between February and June 1993:

Half of Canadian woman have been exposed to
an incident of physical or sexual violence after the age of 16.

45% were attacked by men who were known to
them.

23% of them were attacked by strangers.

23% were attacked with weapons as the result
of marital disputes.

Ihsaa’aat, Diraasaat, Arqaam,
p. 141

In America:

One million illegitimate children are born
each year.

12 million children are homeless and living
in unhealthy circumstances.

There are one million abortions each year in
America.

In Britain:

25 million obscene phone calls were recorded
in one year.

40 million children are homeless in Latin
America.

The law in Sweden allows marriage of brothers
and sisters.

Ihsaa’aat, Diraasaat, Arqaam,
p. 150.

Thirdly:

We appreciate your pride in Islam, and your
protective jealousy concerning the Muslims. We ask Allaah to give us and you strength.